Need some upgrade advice

[Eekee]

It will be a ways in the future, but I'd like to upgrade my 29 gallon tank to a 75.

I tend to use a very simple method of reef keeping. I'd like to avoid a sump or a fuge. I know they are ideal, but I'd rather avoid the whole plumbing thing. (And little boys adding Legos and cookies.) I like to understock my tanks. I like the looks of just a few fish swimming around rather than a crowd. I use a skimmer and HOB filters (minus the filter) for circulation.

If I set up a 75g, with live rock and sand, and stocked it with easy, low-light corals, and just a few fish, could I get away with not using a sump? I don't have one on my 29 and frankly, even though I don't change the water as often as I should, and things are going fine for two years now.

I'm just not sure if a sump becomes a requirement as the size of a tank increases.

Thanks for the input. My youngest boy will soon be outgrowing his crib, and that means MORE ROOM FOR TANKS!

 

[Travis L. Stevens]

Nope. It's not a requirement. They sure do help, but with good tank husbandry, you should be able to keep a sumpless 75g without a problem.

 

[Prater]

You dont need a sump. They are a benefit, but if its not a reef ready tank there can be problems that some people dont want to run into. Just keep an eye on your water level and provide plenty of current and you should be fine.

 

[pwhitby]

Eekee, my 75 softie was beautiful, no sump. I did use a hang on skimmer, but that all.

Heres some pics:

i had 2 sets of vho over it, but T5s would be more than enough (may be 5 bulbs)

So yes, you can do that.

P.

 

[Serra]

That is one pretty tank Paul! How many fish did you have in it. What brand of HOB did you use?

 

[pwhitby]

10-15 fish I think

The HOB was really not a HOB.

It was a 5 1/2 foot counter current skimmer......that was 5 1/2 feet of 3 inch pvc pipe and a tetratec DW96-2 air pump. the skimmer was ran by a cannister filter

Worked real well and cost only $200

 

[pwhitby]

-----I still have the skimmer if anyones interested.

Paul.

 

[Eekee]

That's an amazing tank, Paul!

Thanks, all, for the advice. Now, I need the combination of Matthew being able to sleep in a big bed, and a windfall of cash!

(Does it make me a bad mom, that I want my kids to share a bedroom so that I can have an extra room for a fish tank?)

 

[pwhitby]

Perfectly reasonable to me

 

[Serra]

pm sent

 

[Matrexz]

You could always turn your bedroom into a combo fishroom as well. Idea doesn't always worked my wife didn't like the idea of a 180 sitting 3 ft away from the bed.